Cold Plunging is Nothing New
In Ancient Rome, bathhouses were not just for relaxation but also for fitness. Many thermae featured palaestrae, or exercise areas, where patrons could engage in various physical activities before their bath.
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The fitness regimens included wrestling, weight lifting, and ball games, which helped maintain physical prowess. Bathers would work up a sweat and then enjoy the caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath), and frigidarium (cold plunge) to relax and cleanse themselves, as a solo activity or with their Roman friends.